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Hey Community Group Leaders! Who are you inviting to group this week? Who are you mentoring to lead a group? How can you make your group better... more conversational?

Announcements :

Next Steps - 2/7/16 during 10:30 service.

Sheridan House Family Values 5K Run/Walk the best 5K ever!!! Registration is now open!!! Register today and join Sheridan House in stepping out for children and families. The 2015 event was a huge success as we had over 330 runners and together we raised $136,238.00!!! The event is Saturday, February 13, 2016. Registration will open at 7:45am with the race beginning promptly at 9:00am. They will be needing many volunteers to help as well.Volunteers arrive by: 7:15am Race Begins: 9:00am

Venue: Sheridan House. 1700 S Flamingo Rd. Davie, FL 33325

Attire: We will provide you with an official Sheridan House 5K shirt upon arrival.

These are the areas of need:

If you are able to help, please respond by Monday, February 8thwith specific volunteer information.

Pierina Curran

Main: (954) 583-1552

Direct Line: (954) 414-3392

Serving Opportunities at WPCC - a great way to get involved in what is going on at West Pines on Sundays.

Check out the Service Projects Tab for more opportunities

Sermon Title:

Shovels and Swords, Part 1: Weep and Pray

Main Text:

Nehemiah 1

TOPICS ( Not to be read or e-mailed to your group.. this is for the leader's review and recollection )

The first chapter begins the story of Nehemiah. The entire story of Nehemiah is one of history’s most profound textbooks on leadership. Particularly, the beginning of the story is essential for us to grasp the foundation of any endeavor.

Nehemiah asks about Jerusalem. He hears that Jerusalem in in disrepair. The people there are in danger and in shame.

This causes Nehemiah to weep and mourn and fast and pray.

His reaction should get our attention. This is not nostalgia. He most likely has never been to Jerusalem. It was conquered nearly 150 years before. So why does he have such a strong reaction? His prayer reveals it.

In his prayer he reminds God of what He said, “ will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.” This reveals that Nehemiah knows the heart and plan of God. He knows that God intends to save the world through His people. And Nehemiah knows that while Jerusalem is in such a terrible condition, that plan is halted.

Nehemiah is weeping for what God weeps for.

What do we weep for? What is it that we are broken for? It is probably the same thing we are busy spending our lives building. Is it merely our own: comfort, pleasure, wealth, success?

God has called us to be busy building something bigger than ourselves. He has called us to be a part of His eternal plan.

We must weep and pray for the things that align with God’s heart.

And like Nehemiah, before we weep and pray, we must ask. We must stop and ask - what is the condition of the Kingdom of God? God what do You want me to weep for?

AND NOW.... THE QUESTIONS...

HIGH/LOW: What was the high point of your week and the low point?

ICEBREAKER: What is a big project you have on your "to do" list?

READ: Nehemiah 1

Based on the report Nehemiah receives, what do you imagine it would be like to live in Jerusalem in that time?

Why do you think the news from Jerusalem caused such a dramatic emotional reaction from Nehemiah?

What does Nehemiah’s prayer reveal about his character and relationship with God?

Discuss the idea that God wired humans to be builders, and we are on this earth to build the Kingdom of God?

What is the difference between building something for yourself and building something bigger than you?

Discuss the idea that we should be weeping for the things for which God is weeping

What are some specific things or issues around you that you feel God is also concerned with?